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Washington County Conservation Board reviews Marr Park project and flags tight operating budget
Summary
At its June 16 meeting the Washington County Conservation Board received a final financial report on the Marr Park pickleball/playground project and was told operating budgets are under increasing pressure after several years of 0% increases; staff also described planned park shelters and talks with the City of Kalona.
Board Vice President Barb Donkersloot called the Washington County Conservation Board to order at 3:58 p.m. on June 16 at the Washington County Conservation Center at Marr Park. Executive Director Zach Rozmus told the board he was “extremely pleased” with how the Marr Park pickleball and playground project came together and presented a final financial report that he said the board would likely see again as part of the agency’s annual report.
The report summarized project completion costs and fiscal tracking but Rozmus warned that the agency’s operating budget was under increasing pressure as the fiscal year closed. He said several years of 0% operating increases had tightened the end-of-year numbers and flagged the condition as a concern for upcoming budgeting discussions.
Rozmus also briefed the board on other capital and facility items. He said he had received initial quotes for a timber-framed shelter to be placed at Southtown and that WCCB staff continued conversations with the City of Kalona about parceling a small section of property so it could become a county park. On a separate item, the board received a signed quote for a new shelter at Brinton Timber that Rozmus said would be similar to the shelter recently installed at Marr Park; he anticipated delivery in September and said WCCB staff would pour the concrete pad.
On personnel and policy items, Rozmus summarized the expected impact of recent changes to the IPERS Protected Class legislation on WCCB operations after July 1. He also provided a brief update that Ranger/Operations Supervisor Cody Smith and his family were transitioning out of the Marr Park residence, and staff outlined plans for seasonal hiring.
The board did not take final votes on capital procurements during the meeting; Rozmus said follow-up on the Southtown parcel and the Brinton Timber shelter timeline would continue in the coming weeks. The board adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
